Stair-controlled electric-light switch



4 1927. Jan H. E. BlLLERBECK ST AIR CQNTROLLED ELECTRIC LIGHT SWITCH Filed April 29, 1925 VEN TOR.

BY e Z find/ i ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 4, 1927.

HENRY E. BILLERBECK, OF EHILADELIPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

STATE-CONTROLLED ELECTRIC-LIGHT SWITCH.

Application filed April 29, 1925.

The object of this invention is to devise a novel stair controlled electric light switch which can be so arranged that when a person goes down the stairs the light will be lighted and when a person goes up the stairs the light will be extinguished or vice versa.

Constant expense is involved, for example in basements or cellars when people neglect to extinguish the light, and by the use of this invention the lights in a basement or attic are automatically controlled by a person going to or from the cellar or attic.

My invention further comprehends novel means controlled by the treads of a stairway to automatically control a switch which may control other mechanism.

Other novel features of construction and advantage will hereinafter more clearly appear in the detailed description and the ap pended claims.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawing a typical embodiment of it, which, in practice, will give reliable and satisfactory results. It is, however, to be understood that this embodiment is typical only and that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized, and that the invention is not, therefore, limited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein set forth.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a stair controlled switch, embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is an end view of the device,

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the operating mechanism in detached position.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings 1 designates the main frame which may be a casting or a built up construction as may be desired.

The frame 1 is provided with a flange 2 at one end and with an extending arm 3 so that the frame can be secured to the risers i and 5 respectively of the stairway.

The frame 1 is provided with a laterally extending flange 6 which serves as a guide, and in similar manner the arm 3 is provided with a laterally extending flange 7 which serves as a guide.

These flanges G and 7, respectively, are adapted to guide the guide rods 8 and 9, respcctively.

The rod 8 is provided with a contacting Serial No. 26,564.

head 10, and the rod 9 is provided with a contacting head 11.

The head 10 is adapted to be engaged by the tread 12, and. the head 11 is adapted to be engaged by a tread 18.

A lug M on a lever 15 is engaged by a nut 29 on the lower end of the rod 8. The rod 8 passes through an aperture in the lever 15, the diameter of the aperture being greater than that of the rod.

The lever 15, is pivot-ally mounted at one end, as at 16, on the frame 1. The free end of the lever 15 is provided with a foot 17 which is adapted to operate one of the operating buttons of the switch.

The rod 9 has at its lower end a nut 30 which contacts with the lever lug 18. The rod 9 has a clearance in the lever 19.

The forward end of the lever 19 is pro vided with a foot 21 which is adapted to actuate a contact making button 24 of a switch 22.

The switch 22 is a standard electric light s vitch, and is secured to a flange or plate 23 connected with and forming a part of the frame 1.

The lever 15 is adapted to contact with the other button or operating member 25 of the switch 22.

The tread 12 instead of being fixed, as is customary in stair construction, has its rear end movably connected with the riser of the step above it by means of a hinge 26 of any desired construction.

The object of my novel stair controlled switch will now be apparent to those skilled in this art and is as follows The controlling mechanism is connected with a stairway as illustrated and in the manner already described in detail.

As shown in Figure 1, the light in the basement is lighted when a person goes down the stair way and steps on the tread 12, depressing the rod 8 and thereby causing the lever 15 to move downwardly and its foot 17 to contact with the switch button 25 and close the circuit through the switch, and the lights and will be lighted.

At the same time, this causes an upward movement of the switch button 24, so that the lever 19 will be raised, raising the rod 9,

and causing the tread 13 to be raised.

In a standard switch construction when one button is pushed inwardly the other button is pushed outwardly.

When the person who has operated the switch goes up the stairway and steps on the tread 18, the rod 9 will be moved downwardly, and thereby move downwardly the lever 19 and cause the switch button to be moved downwardly, thereby opening the circuit through the lights, and thus causing the lights to be extinguished.

This causes the lever 15 and the guide rod 8 and the tread 12 to assume the position seen in Figure l.

lVhen a tread, for example the tread 12, is in operating position there a clearance as at 28 between the tread and its lower riser.

It will be apparent that the switch contact can be reversed so that when a person goes up the stairs, for example to an attic, the light in the attic will be lighted, and when the person goes down the stairs the light will be extinguished.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a stair controlled switch, movably mounted treads, a switch, and switch controlling means actuated by the movement of one tread to close a circuit and by the movement of another tread to open the circuit.

in a stair controlled switch, movably mounted treads, a switch, switch controlling means actuated by the movement of one tread to close acircuit and by the movement of another tread to open the circuit and said switch when actuated by one tread causing the other tread to be moved into operative position,

13. In a stair controlled switch, movably mounted treads, a switch, switch controlling means actuated. by the movement of one tread to close a circuit and by the movement 01'? another tread to open the circuit andmechanism automatically controlled by said switch.

l. in a stair controlled switch, the combination with an upper and a lower stair tread, oi a switch, and switch controlling means having a switch controlling nieniber oper ated by an upper tread and a switch controlling ineniber operated l y a lower tread.

5.111 a stair controlled switch, a stair having juxtaposed treads, a switch having on. and oil; operating buttons, and controlmechanism, including button operating levers, and tread controlled rods to actuate said levers.

(S. In a stair controlled switch, the combination with fulcrumed treads, of a frame suitably supported, lever actuating contacts mounted in said. frame, a rod for each lever guided in said frame and having its upper end contacting with its respective tread, and means whereby when one lever is actuated by its tread to close the switch circuit, the other lever and its tread is moved into its operative position.

HEN E. BILLERBEGK. 

